Land leveller



Sept. 11, 1962 Filed Oct. 18, 1960 WF/g.

C. E. CHILDERS LAND LEVELLER Claude E. Chi/ders INVENTOR.

Myra/q fi awg 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 11, 1962 c. E. CHILDERS LAND LEVELLER 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 18, 1960 Claude E Chi/ders 1N VEN TOR.

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Sept. 11, 1962 LAND LEVELLER 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 18, 1960 Fig. 9

Claude E Chi/ders INVENTOR.

% llll'mllh United States Patent 3,052,993 LAND LEVELLER Claude E. Childers, 209 N. Adams, De Witt, Ark. Filed Get. 18, 1960, Ser. No. 63,416 6 Claims. (Cl. 37-450) This invention relates to an earth moving machine adapted to be hitched to a tractor pulling vehicle for drawing the machine over the surface of the ground f levelling and smoothing the earth.

It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide a land levelling machine which includes an elongated horizontally disposed frame which is drawn over the earth which frame is supported by a pair of wheel assemblies at an adjustably predetermined position above the surface of the ground for movement of the earth passing beneath the machine frame by a plurality of earth deflecting blades which are operative to move the earth inwardly and outwardly with respect to the frame sides and thereby fill up irregularities of the earth surface and smooth the earth down to a desired level.

Another object of this invention is to provide a land leveling machine composed of a frame, the level of which may be accurately adjusted with respect to a pair of frame supporting wheel assemblies by hydraulic mechanism mounted on the forward wheel assembly, the rear wheel assembly being interconnected with the forward wheel assembly so as to maintain the frame in horizontal position at all adjusted levels thereof.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a land levelling frame supported by a pair of pivotally adjustable wheel assemblies which are 50 arranged as to facilitate both adjustment of the frame level and turning of the frameby the pulling tractor.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

'FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the land levelling machine made in accordance with this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the land leveller illustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the land levelling machine illustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a front elevational view of the land levelling machine.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken through a plane indicated by section line 5-5 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 6 is a partial enlarged top plan view of a portion of a machine illustrated in FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 7 is a partial sectional View of the land .levelling machine illustrating the forward wheel assembly in one operative position.

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view similar to FIGURE 7 illustrating the forward wheel assembly in a second operative position.

FIGURE 9 is a partial sectional view of the land levelling machine illustrating the rear wheel assembly thereof.

. nected by tubular member 40.

FIGURE 10 is a partial sectional view similar to FIG- reference numeral 10 and is drawn along the ground and assess Patented Sept. 11, 1962 ice hence may be pulled by a tractor vehicle to which the machine frame generally designated by reference numeral 12 is attached by means of a hitch device generally ind1- =cated by reference numeral 14. It will also be observed that the frame assembly 12 is supported above the ground in horizontal position by a forward wheel assembly 16 and a rear wheel assembly 18 as more clearly seen in FIGURES 2 and 3. It will therefore be observed from FIGURES l, 2 and 3 that the horizontal position of th frame assembly 12 above the ground may be controlled by simultaneous angular positioning of the forward and rear wheel assemblies 16 and 18 with respect to the frame assembly 12 to which they are pivotally connected. It will also be observed that the frame assembly 12 has mounted thereon and extending upwardly thereabove a truss structure 20 disposed between the forward and rear ends of the frame assembly 12 so as to prevent bending of the frame assembly in a vertical plane. Further, it will be observed from FIGURES 3 and 11, that the frame assembly 12 mounts between the sides thereof an earth moving blade arrangement designed to move the earth laterally inwardly and outwardly wit respect to the frame assembly in order to level, smooth and remove irregularities of the earths surface over which the leveller frame moves, said blade assembly being operative to finally deflect remaining earth off to one lateral side of the frame.

The frame assembly 12 is therefore made up of a pair of elongated structural channel members 22 and 24 which are disposed parallel to each other. The side members 22 and 24 of the frame assembly are interconnected at the rear ends thereof by means of a channel connecting member 26 while intermediate the ends of the side frame members 22 and 24 a plurality of tubular connecting members 28, 30, 3'2 and 34 are provided to maintain the side frame members 22 and 24 in spaced parallel relation to each other by being secured to upstanding ears welded or otherwise secured to the side frame members. It will also be observed that the forward ends of the side frame members 22 and 24 have upwardly angled portions 36 and 38 which are intercon- 'I'he hitch 14 is therefore pivotally connected at said forward end 36 and 38 of the frame assembly 12.

*It will be observed that the hitch device 14 includes a hitch frame comprising of a pair of tubular frame members 42 and 44 the rear ends of which have pivot brackets 46 and 48 connected thereto whereby the hitch device 14 may be pivotally connected to the forward end portions 36 and 38 of the land levelling frame assembly 12. The tubular frame members 42 and 44 therefore form a triangular configuration by being interconnected by a tubular frame member 50. A hitch bar 52 is connected between the frame member 50 and a connecting portion 54 at the apex of the triangular configuration o the hitch device 14. Connecting bracket 56 is therefore mounted at the forward end of the connecting bar 52 for the hitch device. Accordingly, the hitch device 14 may attach the frame assembly 12 to a pulling tractor vehicle.

It will also be observed that an earth moving blade arrangement is attached to the frame assembly by means of a plurality of blades welded or otherwise secured to the side frame members 22 and 24 of the frame assembly, said blades extending inwardly of the frame assembly. Referring therefore to FIGURES 3 and 11 in particular it will be observed that a pair of earth deflecting blades 58 are provided adjacent the forward end of the frame assembly 12 for the purpose of deflecting earth away from and thereby protecting the wheels of the forward wheel assembly 16. The earth is thereby initially deflected toward the center of the frame as the frame assembly 12 moves thereover. The second pair of blades 60 move the earth toward the center of the frame between the side members thereof, the earth then being received along the sides of the V-shaped blade assembly 62. It will be observed that the pairs of blades 58 are mounted on the side frame members 22 and 24 while the blades 60' may be attached to the side frame members as well as to the member 34. The V-shaped blade assembly '62 on the other hand will be supported by being secured to the cross tubular frame members 32 and 30. Disposed rear-wardly of the V-shaped blade assembly 62 is a short deflecting blade 64 attached to the side frame 24 and a longer deflecting blade 66 secured to the side frame 22 and to the tubular connecting member .28. The long blade 66 therefore directs the earth toward the one lateral side of the frame assembly. A final smoothing and directing blade 68 is therefore provided and connected between the side frame member 24 and the end channel member 26 for directing the earth outwardly from the frame assembly member 72 connected and spaced from the frame member 22 and 26 by means of spacer elements 74 and 76 thus defining a discharge area 70. It will also be observed that a pair of truss frame structures 20 are disposed on top of the side frame members 22 and 24 between the forward and rear ends thereof which truss structure may be welded to the frame members and provide the requisite rigidity for the frame assembly in a vertical plane. It will also be apparent from the foregoing description, that the earth engaged by the blades hereinbefore described will be moved laterally between the side frame members 22 and 24 as the frame assembly moves over the earth to thereby insure filling of holes for removal of all irregularities of the earth as the levelling machine frame levels and smooths the earth over which it passes.

As was hereinbefore indicated, the frame assembly 12 is supported above the ground by means of the forward and rear wheel assemblies 16- and 18. Referring therefore to FIGURES 2, 3, 4, and 7, it will be observed that the forward wheel assembly 16 includes a supporting frame which is made up of a pair of side tubular frame members 78 and 80 which are interconnected by a tubular control member 82 at a forward end of the frame assembly 16 and a connecting member 84 intermediate the ends of the frame assembly 16. Additional bracing members 86 are provided between the members 82 and 84. The rear end of the side frame members 78 and 80 are pivotally mounted on the tubular member 34 by pivot bracket 88. A pair of forward wheels 90 are rotatably mounted at the lower end of a wheel supporting bracket 92 swivelly mounted by means of swivel device 93 attached to the forward end of the wheel assembly 16 by being welded to or otherwise secured to the member 82 thereof. The wheels 90 are thereby rotatably mounted on an axis which is disposed above the side frame members 22 and 24 of the frame assembly 12 and are disposed between the side frame members 22 and 24 of the frame assembly. It will also be noted that the wheels 90 are disposed adjacent to and rearwardly of the blade deflecting members 58 in protective relation thereto so that the earth will be deflected away therefrom permitting free movement of the wheels and the frame assembly carried thereby.

It will therefore be apparent that the forward wheels 90 rotatably supported by the frame assembly 16 may be .pivotally moved relative to the frame assembly. "In the absence of any connecting structure between the pivoted frame assembly 16 and the frame assembly 12, the frame assembly 12 would merely drop to the ground. However, a flexible chain 94 is provided and connected at its lower end to the frame assembly side members '22 and 24 and at the upper ends said chains 94 are connected to a pair of arms 96 which are disposed at the outer ends of the member 82 and are interconnected by means of a control shaft 98 which is rotatably mounted 'within the member 82. It will therefore be apparent that by controlling the angular position of the control shaft 98 and the arms 96 attached thereto, the position of the side frame members 22 and 24 relative to the wheel frame assembly 16 may be limited so as to suspend the frame at a given distance above the ground as illustrated in FIGURE 7 for example. Also connected to the pair of arms 96 are a second pair of arms 100 to which a connecting member 102 is connected whereby the angular position of the control shaft 98 may be related to the angular position of a similar control shaft 104 on the rear wheel assembly 18. Mechanism is provided on the forward wheel assembly 16 for angularly positioning the control shaft 98 so as to vary the limiting distance between the forward end of the wheel assembly 16 and the frame assembly 12 so as to thereby change the position of the frame assembly 12 above the ground or with respect to the wheels 90 of the forward wheel assembly. Accordingly, a cut-out portion 106 is provided intermediate the ends of the member 82 as more clearly seen in FIGURE 4 exposing the control shaft 98 to which a control member 108 is connected. As seen in FIGURE 7, the control member 108 is connected to a piston rod 110 of a hydraulic cylinder mechanism 112, the other end of which is pivotally anchored to the cross connecting member 84 of the frame of the forward wheel assembly 16. Accordingly, by supplying hydraulic fluid to either end of the hydraulic cylinder mechanism 112, the piston rod 110- may be extended or retracted in order to adjust the angular position of the control shaft 98 to thereby raise or lower the frame assembly 12 with respect to the forward wheel assembly 16. A guide bracket assembly 114 is therefore connected to the cross frame member 40 for the purpose of guiding and limiting movement of the control member 108. Also, hydraulic conduits 116 are connected to the sides of the hydraulic cylinder mechanism 112 as more clearly seen in FIGURE 3 which conduits 116 are connected to suitable hydraulic pressure generating and control mechanism on the tractor vehicle for selectively supplying fluid under pressure to the cylinder mechanism 112 for control purposes. A guide n'ng member 118 is therefore mounted on the hitch bar member 52 for the purpose of guiding and supporting the hydraulic conduit 116.

Referring now to FIGURES 8 and 9, it will be observed that the frame assembly 12 may be adjusted relative to the wheel assembly 16 in various positions above the ground or on the ground as illustrated in FIGURE 10 by angular adjustment of the control shaft 98 and the arms 96 connected thereto whereby the chain connection 9'4 may raise or lower the frame assembly 12 relative to the wheel assembly 16. It will also be observed that the arms 100 connected to the arms 96 are also angularly adjusted to thereby actuate the connecting memher 102 for angular adjustment of the control shaft 104 of the rear wheel assembly 18.

Referring therefore to FIGURE 9 in particular it will be observed that the interconnecting members 102 are connected at their other rear ends to the arms 120 secured to the outer ends of the control shaft 104 of the rear wheel assembly 18 together with the other pair of arms 122 by means of which chains 124 connect the rear portion of the frame assembly 12 to the rear wheel assembly 18 for raising or lowering of the rear portion of the frame assembly 12 relative to the wheel assembly 18 simultaneous with the raising and lowering of the frame assembly 12 relative to the forward wheel assembly 16. The rear wheel assembly 18 therefore also includes a similar frame structure including side frame members 126 and 128 interconnected by member 130 and by the sleeve connecting member 132. The member 132 rotatably mounts the control shaft 104 to which the arms 120 and 122 are connected. Also secured to the member 132 are a pair of wheel supporting brackets 134 for rotatably supporting at the lower ends thereof the rear wheels 136.

It will also be observed that the frame assembly 18 is pivotally mounted on the frame member 28 for pivotal adjustment of the wheel assembly '18 in a manner similar to that described with respect to the forward wheel assembly 16. It will be observed however that the angular positioning of the control shaft 194 is effected by the connecting member 102 insuring that the pivotal position of the rear wheel assembly corresponds to that of the front wheel assembly for maintaining the frame assembly 12 in a horizontal position.

From the foregoing description, operation and utility of the land levelling machine made in accordance with this invention will be apparent. It will therefore be appreciated that the leveller frame is carried in its entirety by two separate wheel assemblies while the levelling action is controlled by the hydraulic cylinder mechanism 112 under selective control of the operator of the pulling tractor vehicle which thereby controls the level of the frame assembly so that the forward and rear ends thereof are adjusted simultaneously with respect to the supporting wheel assemblies 16 and 18. Also, by virtue of the pivotal mounting of the wheel assemblies rearwardly of the supporting wheels a more facile turning of the machine frame may be accomplished with the wheels of the forward wheel assembly 16 differing from those of the rear wheel assembly by the swivel supporting arrangement in the swivel devices 93.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An earth levelling machine comprising elongated horizontally disposed frame means, forward and rear wheel assembly means pivotally mounted within said frame means, wheel means rotatably mounted at one end of each assembly means depending below the frame means and rotatable about an axis pivotally adjustable above the frame means, a plurality of earth moving blade means mounted on said frame means for movement of earth inwardly and outwardly with respect to said frame means, each wheel means being disposed adjacent to and rearwardly of a blade means in protective relation thereto, the wheel means of the forward wheel assembly means being swivelly mounted, flexible means interconnecting said one end of each wheel assembly means with the frame means for limiting downward movement of the frame means with respect to the wheel means to a levelling position, interconnecting means operatively con necting the flexible means of the forward assembly means to the flexible means of the rear assembly means for maintaining the frame means horizontal at all levelling positions thereof, and depth control means operatively connected to the forward wheel assembly means and the flexible means therefor for varying the levelling position of the frame means with respect to the wheel means of the forward wheel assembly means.

2. The machine as defined in claim 1, wherein each wheel assembly means comprises a Wheel supporting frame pivotally mounted at a rear end thereof on the frame means, said wheel means being rotatably mounted adjacent a forward end of the supporting frame and angular level adjustment means rotatably mounted at the forward end of the supporting frame, said flexible means and interconnecting means being connected to the angular level adjustment means.

3. The machine as defined in claim 2, wherein said depth control means comprises hydraulic cylinder means interconnected between said angular adjustment means and supporting frame intermediate the ends thereof for varying the angular position of the adjustment means on the supporting frame.

4. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said blade means includes a plurality of blades having a rearwardly inclined longitudinal axis and extending only partially transversely of the frame, the rearmost blade means extending completely across the frame for discharge of material laterally of the path of movement of the frame means, said frame means having an upwardly oifset portion at the rearmost end of the rearmost blade for enabling discharge of all of the material laterally to only one side of the frame means.

5. The structure as defined in claim 4 wherein said frame means includes a pair of elongated straight side run ners having the lower edge thereof in the same horizontal plane as the lower edges of the blades thereby serving to support the frame while leveling.

6. A land leveller comprising an elongated rigid frame, elevatable wheel means mounted in spaced relation on the frame, said frame including elongated side rails for supporting the frame when the wheel means is raised thereby allowing the frame to slide on the ground surface, means at the forward end of said frame for connection with a towing vehicle, means interconnecting the frame and the wheel means for raising and lowering the wheel means, a plurality of elongated blades mounted on said frame, the longitudinal axis of the blades being in rearwardly inclined relation to the longitudinal axis of the frame, alternate of said blades having one end attached to the same side of the frame with the other end being spaced laterally inwardly from the opposite side of the frame whereby soil Will be engaged by the initial blade, moved longitudinally and laterally and then discharged onto the front area of a trailing blade for lateral movement in the opposite direction and longitudinal movement whereby the soil moves in a zigzag path for rolling and pulverizing the soil and for effectively filling low spots by passing the soil over such a low spot a plurality of times, said wheel means being simultaneously movable, the forward wheel means including caster wheels pivotal about substantially a vertical axis, said frame including an offset forwardly of the rear thereof with the rearmost blade having the rearmost end attached thereto whereby the offset portion will enable lateral discharge of material for enabling such excess material to be picked up by a subsequent pass of the leveler, each wheel means including a pivotal subframe having one end thereof connected with the frame and having flexible means connecting the other end thereof to the frame.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 425,793 Holland Apr. 15, 1890 1,317,037 Samdahl Sept. 23, 1919 1,711,350 Hughes Apr. 30, 1929 1,973,372 Clapp Sept. 11, 1934 2,142,262 Beckham et a1 Jan. 3, 1939 2,160,376 Arndt May 30, 1939 2,745,674 Struble May 15, 1956 

